Swansea want to keep hold of Bafétimbi Gomis in January transfer window

http://www.theguardian.com/football/2015/jan/20/swansea-bafetimbi-gomis-transfer-window

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Swansea are fiercely determined to hold onto Bafétimbi Gomis despite serious interest from a number of clubs, including Crystal Palace, and comments from the Frenchman suggesting that he is unsettled at the Liberty Stadium.

With Wilfried Bony sold to Manchester City for £28m last week, senior figures at Swansea have suggested that it is unthinkable Gomis will also be allowed to leave in the same window.

While Swansea had always left the door open to the possibility of Bony leaving if the fee was right, there is a totally different school of thought in relation to Gomis, primarily because the Welsh club would be left desperately short of attacking options if the striker also moved on this month.

Gomis is unhappy that he spent so much time on the bench during the first half of the season and has spoken of his intention to hold discussions with his representatives to “find the best solution”.

Swansea, however, believe that Gomis must now do his talking on the pitch and seize the opportunity that he will be given in the wake of Bony’s transfer to City.

Swansea’s stance may not deter Palace, who would have to pay in excess of £9m for Gomis because of a sizeable signing-on free written into the forward’s contract, but at the Liberty Stadium there is firm resistance to the idea that the 29-year-old, who joined on a free transfer from Lyon last summer, could follow Bony out of the club.

The departure of Neil Taylor appears much more likely. Swansea claim that they have not received an improved offer for the Welshman, after Palace had a bid in the region of £3m rejected last month, but both clubs remain in talks in relation to a possible deal. Tottenham’s Kyle Naughton has been lined up as a replacement.